NBA superstar LeBron James has once again found himself at the center of controversy—this time for reportedly refusing to wear LGBTQ+ Pride-themed gear during a planned Nike advertisement. According to inside sources, James declined to participate in a segment of the ad campaign that involved donning rainbow-colored apparel, stating bluntly: “The court is for playing, not for woke pride.”

The statement has ignited a media firestorm. While some fans are applauding LeBron for “keeping sports and politics separate,” others are accusing the basketball icon of being insensitive and out of touch with modern inclusivity movements.

The reported incident occurred during a closed Nike shoot earlier this month. The ad was intended to celebrate diversity and inclusivity across all sports, with various athletes showing support for Pride Month. However, LeBron reportedly pushed back against the creative direction, saying he preferred to focus on athletic performance rather than social messaging.

“I respect everyone,” he allegedly told the crew. “But I’m here to inspire on the court—not to play political games.”

This move is especially surprising given LeBron’s history of speaking out on social justice issues, including racism, police brutality, and voting rights. However, critics are now pointing out what they see as a double standard: why support some causes and not others?

Nike has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, and LeBron’s representatives have declined to comment. Social media, meanwhile, is exploding with reactions. Hashtags like #PlayNotPride and #LeBronBoycott are trending on X (formerly Twitter), while others are launching campaigns in support of the athlete, praising his “courage to stand his ground.”

One user wrote: “I’m gay and I support LeBron. You can’t force people into activism. Let the man play basketball.”

Another was less forgiving: “LeBron talks about justice but bails when it’s inconvenient. Hypocrisy at its finest.”

Whether this affects his long-standing relationship with Nike remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: LeBron James has once again sparked a national conversation—and he’s not backing down.